Smart connector wakeup and sleep control

Abstract

A connector state control module includes a sensing module that determines a state of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. A charge switching module selectively provides a voltage based on the state of the PWM signal. A charge storage module stores a charge based on the voltage. A power supply switching module selectively outputs a power signal based on the charge.

1. A connector state control module comprising:
 a sensing module that determines a state of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal; 
 a charge switching module that selectively provides a voltage based on the state of the PWM signal; 
 a charge storage module that stores a charge based on the voltage; and 
 a power supply switching module that selectively provides a power signal based on the charge. 
 
   
   
     2. The connector state control module of  claim 1  wherein the connector state control module is in an awake state when the PWM signal is in an active state and is in a sleep state when the PWM signal is in an inactive state. 
   
   
     3. The connector state control module of  claim 2  wherein the power supply switching module outputs the power signal during the awake state and does not output the power signal during the sleep state. 
   
   
     4. The connector state control module of  claim 2  wherein the charge storage module receives the voltage and is charged when the PWM signal is in an active state and does not receive the voltage and is discharged when the PWM signal is in an inactive state. 
   
   
     5. The connector state control module of  claim 4  wherein the charge storage module includes a capacitor. 
   
   
     6. The connector state control module of  claim 5  wherein the connector state transitions to the awake state based on an awake delay time and transitions to the sleep state based on a sleep delay time, and wherein the awake delay time and the sleep delay time are based on a capacitance value of the capacitor. 
   
   
     7. The connector state control module of  claim 6  wherein the charge storage module includes a resistor, and the sleep delay time is further based on a resistance value of the resistor. 
   
   
     8. The connector state control module of  claim 1  wherein the sensing module includes a transistor that receives the PWM signal and that transitions between on and off states based on the state of the PWM signal. 
   
   
     9. The connector state control module of  claim 1  wherein the charge switching module includes a transistor that receives the PWM signal, that transitions between on and off states based on the state of the PWM signal, that provides the voltage to the charge storage module in the on state, and that does not provide the voltage to the charge storage module in the off state. 
   
   
     10. The connector state control module of  claim 1  wherein the power supply switching module includes first and second transistors, the first transistor transitions between on and off states based on the charge, and the second transistor selectively outputs the power signal based on the on and off states of the first transistor. 
   
   
     11. A method for operating a connector state control module comprising:
 determining a state of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal; 
 selectively providing a voltage based on the state of the PWM signal; 
 storing a charge based on the voltage; and 
 selectively outputting a power signal based on the charge. 
 
   
   
     12. The method of  claim 11  further comprising operating in an awake state when the PWM signal is in an active state and operating in a sleep state when the PWM signal is in an inactive state. 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising outputting the power signal during the awake state and not outputting the power signal during the sleep state. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 storing the charge when the PWM signal is in an active state; and 
 dissipating the charge when the PWM signal is in an inactive state. 
 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 14  wherein storing the charge includes storing the charge at a capacitor. 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 15  further comprising transitioning to the awake state based on a charging time and transitioning to the sleep state based on a discharging time, wherein the awake delay time and the sleep delay time are based on a capacitance value of the capacitor. 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 16  wherein the sleep delay time is further based on a resistance value of a resistor. 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 11  wherein the determining the state of the PWM signal includes:
 receiving the PWM signal at a transistor; and transitioning the transistor between on and off states based on the state of the PWM signal. 
 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 11  wherein the selectively providing the voltage based on the state of the PWM signal includes:
 receiving the PWM signal at a transistor; 
 transitioning the transistor between on and off states based on the state of the PWM signal; 
 providing the voltage when the transistor is in the on state; and 
 not providing the voltage when the transistor is in the off state. 
 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 11  wherein the selectively outputting the PWM signal based on the charge includes:
 transitioning a first transistor between on and off states based on the charge; and 
 selectively outputting the power signal from a second transistor based on the on and off states of the first transistor.